Help pick my band's next song

[cartman]

In most cases it is the venue that obtains a license for playing the songs, not the bands themselves.

[Vince, Pt. II]

For those who were curious, here are the songs that we will be trying out next (each band member got to suggest one):

Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin
For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
Come and Get It - Badfinger
Daydream Believer - The Monkees
Put A Little Love In Your Heart - Jackie DeShannon

In the end, despite the fact that we already play a few by the Monkees, I figured Daydream Believer was a good combination of crowd-pleaser and a song that I really enjoy. I now have a ton more material to work on for the next time we propose new songs, so thanks everyone for the input.

[dzilla77]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

We have never run into any copyright issues. I don't know if we can - we aren't trying to pass it off as our own or anything. And I know of several bigger cover bands (Super Diamond, Petty Theft, The Sun Kings) that I am fairly certain do not have to deal with them either.

Then again, I am far from an expert on this sort of thing, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

The way this works (or is supposed to work) is the venues (bars, churches, etc.) are supposed to obtain a license from BMI or ASCAP. The fee is either on a per song per play basis (requiring record keeping) or a flat annual fee ($1000 per year I think is typical, but it may depend on a number factors.) I don't know how strictly it is enforced or what the compliance rate is but that is what is supposed to happen.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Hrm. I would say that most of our venues wouldn't seem like they would pay that fee, but maybe Art & Wine festivals are making more money than I think they are.